A food firm which sold chicken meat containing high levels of water was ordered to pay more than £6,000 by magistrates in Northumberland after being caught out by trading standards officers.

Superkip (UK), of Chelmsford, Essex, was caught out after complaints about unfair competition from local producers.

At Bedlington law courts the company admitted three offences of false description under the Food Safety Act 1990 and was fined £4,950 with £1,370 costs after Northumberland County Council brought charges against it under the act.

The frozen chicken breasts it supplied to a Northumberland shop had lower meat content than claimed.

In the worst case, tests showed that the meat content was just 62.5% rather than the 85% stated on the pack.

Jim Rutter, acting head of the trading standards department, said: "We found that the missing meat content was actually made up mainly of added water.

"Although there was no suggestion there were any problems with eating the chicken, it clearly showed that consumers were being misled."

Mr Rutter added that the investigation followed complaints from bona fide local producers.

Coun Peter Hillman, executive member for community services, said: "Consumers thought they were buying quality meat but in fact were paying for water.

"`It is another example of vigilance on behalf of trading standards officers in Northumberland."